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@DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works

It feels like a trap to send your only proof of citizenship to the government to get a passport (USA)... like you'd have no real physical document to prove your citizenship during those few weeks...

2026-04-24 21:55 UTC

Cuz it takes like a few weeks to process and get your passport and documents back… If the government wanted to, theoretically, they could “accidentally lose” the documents… 👀

Replies (6)

  • @Witchfire@lemmy.world 2026-04-25 06:38

    This is actually a very real issue that is fucking me over hard now. For context, I'm a naturalized trans immigrant who fled the US. Unfortunately, my US passport is set to expire really soon and I am effectively unable to renew it. The US *has been deliberately holding on to trans people's passports* by effectively dropping us into bureaucratic limbo as a way to deny us freedom of movement. It's not even worth trying to renew for me since at best (if I'm lucky) I'd have a passport that misrepresents me, and at worst I'd be effectively stateless. [The cruety is the point](https://www.lemkininstitute.com/red-flag-alerts/red-flag-alert---anti-trans-genocide-in-the-usa---%233) Thankfully my OG birth country is coming in clutch right now. The consulate has been helping me get my non-US papers in order, but not everyone is so lucky Edit: and the salt on the wound is that I still have to pay US taxes

    Open ##1840264

  • @Signtist@bookwyr.me 2026-04-24 22:26

    I've always had multiple copies of my birth certificate. If I'd only had one, I'd have gotten a copy before sending it in with my passport application.

    Open ##1840265

  • >If the government wanted to, theoretically, they could "accidentally lose" the documents... Already happened to more than a few. The solid water people have also reportedly been losing/damaging documents of people they've detained. Everything is russian roulette on which person is handling your paperwork that day.

    Open ##1840266

  • @JustJack23@slrpnk.net 2026-04-25 05:11

    Is that an American thing I am too European to understand or am I just still sleeping

    Open ##1840267

  • @scytale@piefed.zip 2026-04-24 22:04

    Isn't it an option to apply in person at a post office? Does your physical proof (birth or naturalization certificate) still need to leave your hands if you do it that way?

    Open ##1840268

  • @GeekyOnion@lemmy.world 2026-04-24 22:05

    I mean, I like that you're attempting to troll, but it kind of falls apart with a simple internet search for "state certified birth certificate copy," if that's the "physical document to prove your citizenship," you're talking about.

    Open ##1840269